In a game deemed personal by players and coaches following last year’s playoff loss, the New York Jets traveled to Indianapolis and upset Peyton Manning and the Colts in a 17-16 victory earning an even more personal match-up with the New England Patriots.

“We have been in some close ones this year, but to come out and pull this game out against a great football team and a great quarterback – it took a Herculean effort by our team,” said head coach Rex Ryan. “I am thankful I finally got to beat Peyton Manning.”

The first half was an offensive stalemate with the only score resulting on Manning connecting with receiver Pierre Garcon for a 57-yard touchdown pass. Garcon was able to get behind Antonio Cromartie and safety Brodney Pool for the big play, but it was the only long reception for Colts’ receivers all night as the secondary kept them in check.

With all the pre-game hype circulating around the match-up of the Colts’ Reggie Wayne and Darrelle Revis, Wayne was a non-factor with one reception for only one yard.

In what appeared as frustration more than anything personal, Wayne sounded off in a post-game interview.

“I give everything I’ve got no matter what. Every day,” said Wayne. “One ball, that’s all?

I shouldn’t have even suited up. I should have watched the game like everybody else. I was irrelevant.”

Wayne did fail to mention that Revis had something to do with his lack of production. The All-Pro cornerback shadowed Wayne all game giving him very few opportunities to make receptions.

With the defense clamping down the Colts offensive attack, quarterback Mark Sanchez struggled, over-throwing receivers on numerous passing attempts, however late in the game during crunch time he connected on key passes.

“As the game went on he [Sanchez] got sharper and sharper,” said Ryan. “It was a great effort by everyone on this team. Big time players make big time plays in big situations.”

Manning also struggled and only connected on that one big play as the Jets defense threw different looks to keep the All-Pro off balance.

“We were trying to make sure the ball wasn’t thrown over our heads,” explained safety Bart Scott.

The Jets have not had much success in the past keeping Manning at bay, but the coaching staff made adjustments to their game plan this time and it paid off.

“I am a stubborn guy but I am not that stubborn,” said Ryan. “I wasn’t about to take the same butt-kicking I usually take from him [Manning].” “We definitely mixed up our defenses and played it more straight up and mixed in some loaded zones, but you have to give him an unbelievable amount of credit in adjusting to whatever we threw at him.”

The Jets stepped up their offensive and defense scoring all of their 17 points after halftime and holding the Colts to only three field goals in the final two quarters.

“It was a great effort especially in the second half,” said Sanchez. “You can’t say enough about our guys on defense. They really fought and bailed us out on offense at times and then the offense responded when we needed to.”

After a field goal putting the Colts up by two with time running out on the Jets season, Antonio Cromartie filling in for the injured Brad Smith, returned the ensuing kickoff 47 yards to put the Jets in tremendous field position igniting the final drive.

“After allowing that touchdown in the first half, I was glad to be able to redeem myself and help the team in that situation,” said the former All-Pro Cromartie. “I got some great blocks and wanted to take it all the way.”

Following Cromartie’s runback, Sanchez connected with Breylon Edwards setting up the winning field goal by kicker Nick Folk.

“On that play, we could have gone with either a pass or run,” explained Ryan. “The kid called that play on his own, that’s how much he grew up,” the coach said of Sanchez.

Edwards ran a sideline route and simple out-jumped his defender. “They gave us the right coverage for Breylon to make a play,” remarked Sanchez. “It was a great play and it set us up for Nick’s kick.”

Coach Ryan also commented on the big play. “Breylon said ‘they are playing me in man and I know I can go over-top of this guy’ and he did. It was a great throw and a great catch.”

So once again, the Jets pull off a last-second victory this season. Next, it’s on to Foxboro to face Tom Brady and the Patriots.

“We were waiting for this opportunity,” said running back LaDainian Tomlinson. “We are going against a great team and a great coaching staff – but we hope to put on a better performance this time.” Tomlinson added, “There is no tomorrow.”